IT WAS the school portrait that Miles Ambridge's parents vowed never to show him for fear of hurting the seven-year-old's feelings.

As his classmates at Herbert Spencer Elementary School in British Columbia sit together in three neat rows, Miles, who has muscular dystrophy, is seen stranded in his wheelchair to the group's left, straining his body to get closer to the other children.

The photo made world headlines earlier this week after his heartbroken parents posted it on Facebook to raise awareness of discrimination against disabled children in schools.

Mother Anne Belanger told local media she couldn't bear to look at the photo.

"Look at the angle that he was in," she said.

"He's ostracised, he wants to be part of the gang so much."

Miles' father Don Ambridge added: "For some reason, it makes me feel even worse that he's so happy in the picture. I think it's because he's still innocent … He's still naive to how other people can treat him."

Thanks to their campaign, Lifetouch, the company who took the original photo agreed to a reshoot - with amazing results.

The reshoot: Miles, second from left in the front row, gets to sit with his classmates. Picture: SuppliedSource:Supplied

This time Miles sits in the front row, minus his wheelchair, sporting a proud grin.

"You can't pick him out this time," an overjoyed Ms Belanger told local newspaper The Province. "For him, to fit in, this is what it should be."

Incredibly, the new photograph has been criticised as "sending the wrong message" because it shows Miles out of his wheelchair.

But Mr Ambridge disagreed.

"All you've got to do is look at the kid sitting on the bench with a grin on his face and that's why we do it.

"He's a happy little guy."

Miles was never shown the original photo, but his parents have kept a copy in case he ever wants to see it.

118 comments on this story

J.I. of Heidelberg Posted at 21/06/2013 1:29pm

Cute! But it's a shame the parents had to go to such lengths to get Miles in the group pic.

ozboy of Posted at 21/06/2013 1:31pm

Man that second photo is just sensational. How did the school and/or his teacher (pictured in both) let that first photo happen. It's the 21st Century and "we" still don't seem to get it do we. Then people come out with "sending the wrong message", look at that smile on his face that's the only message that counts. If we all had smiles like that the world would be a far better place.

Dave of Posted at 21/06/2013 1:33pm

He'll see it now as it's plastered all over the internet

mikeymike of Perth Posted at 21/06/2013 1:34pm

"IT WAS the school portrait that Miles Ambridge's parents vowed never to show him for fear of hurting the seven-year-old's feelings."
And later:
"The photo made world headlines earlier this week after his heartbroken parents posted it on Facebook to raise awareness of discrimination against disabled children in schools."
So posting it to facebook will also allow you to keep it from your son. Yep, that makes sense.

Manda of Posted at 21/06/2013 1:37pm

That is the most fantastic outcome... he really looks part of the class now. What a fabulous smile and attitude that little man has!

Mark of Melbourne Posted at 21/06/2013 1:38pm

Just when you think all news is bad news. Excellent result. news.com.au writers, great story that brings awareness.

Geoff B of Canberra Posted at 21/06/2013 1:38pm

I have a disabled daughter, and this article just made be tear up. My girl will be 7 in a couple of weeks, and she is becoming aware of what is going on around her. My wife and I are dreading the time when she becomes aware that she is a bit 'different'. Already we are noticing a degree of social isolation, which is really hard to see, as she is such a beautiful, happy and good natured kid.

Marcwolf of Brisbane,QLD Posted at 21/06/2013 1:39pm

So if it shows him out of the wheelchair - he does not need it in the photo.. The same if he was on crutches or needed any other disability aid. I am not saying this because I am cruel or unthinking but I realise that disabled people are like everyone else. Many disabled people strive to be like everyone else and will surmount huge obstacles to try and achieve this. All I see there is a happy smiling child who is with his friend - the fact that he needs a wheelchair to move around has nothing to do with the image - unless you want to make the point that he IS disabled and treat him as such.
Yes - I do have disabled friends too.

Win of Australia Posted at 21/06/2013 1:39pm

Win !

ij of Posted at 21/06/2013 1:41pm

The PC are never satisfied. So long as the boy and parents are happy, the PC should be told where to go.

Thomas Edward Coogan of Sunshine Coast Posted at 21/06/2013 1:41pm

Guys the disease was Spinal Musculature Atrophy.
I know this because it struck an all too familiar chord, I lost a 10 month old boy to this horrible disease in 2009.

Chris of Brisbane Posted at 21/06/2013 1:42pm

this warms my heart, well done Herbert Spencer Elementary School

Farr of Sydney Posted at 21/06/2013 1:43pm

Panda-girl certainly likes her top.
The issue of whether Miles should have been photographed in his wheel-chair or not is an interesting one. But in any event, how hard would it have been to compose a photo that was genuinely inclusive?

benw of Sydney Posted at 21/06/2013 1:44pm

Anyone else notice the 2 extra adults in the second photo? Did they want to take a bit of credit? Were they seeking fame? Or maybe they just happened to be sick the day of the first shot? Not likely.

Brad M of Brisbane Posted at 21/06/2013 1:46pm

Well I think its a case of damned if you do damned if you don't. I think the first picture shows whoever arranged the kids did their best to get Miles into the picture. You can see his wheelchair is right up against the end of the seat.
Now if the person had taken Miles out of his wheelchair the first time would there be outcry from the Parents and Community about "how dare they remove him from his chair"? I think so. Having kids of my own I'm pretty sure the parents knew it was photo day. They could have gone along and given permission and suggested for him to be taken out of the chair for the photo. Lets not cry too much about this, Miles looks pretty darn happy in both photos and I think he is smart enough little boy to realise he is in a wheelchair and his life isn't exactly the same as the other kids. I think it would take a very large downpour to dampen that little boys fire, he makes me smile just looking at him smile. Regardless of everything, I do like the bottom photo the most. Its just a pity the world is such that the photo couldn't have been done like that the first time.

earthflute of Sydney Posted at 21/06/2013 1:52pm

makes me want to cry for this little guy. so much crap he has to contend with and then this... nice outcome though. pity the people taking this at the school and the school staff themselves were so in-sensitive.

Mick of Qld Posted at 21/06/2013 1:53pm

Good boy, you deserve it, fit in sometimes takes effort from others and will always be worth the effort.

Matt of Sydney AUS Posted at 21/06/2013 1:54pm

This Kid Rocks!!! I hope he keeps his happy vibe right throughout his life! He will have one up on most of society out there that complain that their life sucks! His parents should be proud!

kaz of australia Posted at 21/06/2013 1:56pm

SOBBING. to think we can be so heartless to a 7 year old boy. Well done to his parents for standing up for him, and well done to school & photographers for the re-shoot!

Alicia of Posted at 21/06/2013 1:57pm

I'm not sure why they don't want to show him the original photo considering he was there when it was actually taken. I guess perhaps at the time he didn't realise how far away he was?? Good to see that they retook the photo though.

Andrew of Brisbane Posted at 21/06/2013 1:57pm

It is good to see common sense prevail. It is easy to see that the intention was not to exclude Miles but most likely based on the an over zealous consideration for safety with the children sitting in the middle of the benches. It is heartening to see that the photographer and the school endured a little inconvenience to ensure that this student had some wonderful memories of his school years.
The parents should definitely nickname him sMiles :-)
Small acts of positive reinforcement will better the world one step at a time. Good work!

Dennis of Posted at 21/06/2013 2:00pm

Good on him!!!

Robert Herron of Crows Nest Posted at 21/06/2013 2:00pm

Truly heart warming - on a par with the "and the kitten played with the ball of wool all night " sort of stories they like to finish TV news with to lift our spirits after the brutality of most of the real news stories. I do feel sorry for the rest of the kids though with their terribly deformed little faces.

Bob of Posted at 21/06/2013 2:00pm

Awesome result! Everyone realised what was wrong and fixed it with no fuss. That's how it should be.

Amy of Posted at 21/06/2013 2:00pm

Wow, why on earth the teacher didn't think to include him better in the photo is heartbreaking. They could have utilised the front row better so as to close up the gap between him and the next child, they could have placed him in the middle/front in his wheelchair and pushed everyone out further to the sides........
Highlights though that we can never assume that all the right things are being done. Communication is the key and that way if the teacher is not 'on the ball' then the parent talking to the teacher prior would result in the best outcome from the start.

seline of Posted at 21/06/2013 2:01pm

I don't see the issue with the first picture ... he was in a wheel chair and he was positioned as close as possible to the group. The laws of physics do not allow the chair to pass through wood. While the second photo is nice you'll probably find that this is just an over reaction and this is a story that shouldn't have made any head line in the world.

baqz of Posted at 21/06/2013 2:05pm

cool story bro

Mr R I Da Feels of QLD Posted at 21/06/2013 2:05pm

Thank you for making a grown man tear up at his desk at work news.com.au, well played, sir, well played.

Round Faced Kid of South Park Posted at 21/06/2013 2:06pm

Timmy!!!!

mdb of melb Posted at 21/06/2013 2:07pm

parents vow never to show photo to child, instead provides it to global media for mass publication

Hayley of Posted at 21/06/2013 2:10pm

What a beautiful little boy.

Father of an SMA Child. of Melbourne Posted at 21/06/2013 2:10pm

All those who criticise, I challenge you to walk a day in the shoes of us parents of a disabled child. Especially one with a Motor Neurone disease. Until you have walked a day in our shoes, your comments are without qualification.
Well done to this family, we had a similar experience with our Daughter in her Kinder photos. Fortunately the Centre understood and pro-actively sought to ensure our Child had an 'included' class photo, not one with her in her wheels.

Tony of Sydney Posted at 21/06/2013 2:13pm

Aweee he looks so sweet.. Good on his parents for taking the time to change things ;)
I was discriminated against by the teachers at school too, and unfortunately i grew up hating my teachers as a result. I was moved from one school to another but received the same treatment. I think Teachers have a lot to answer for.. they disgust me. I was in tears seeing this picture of how this boy was treated. May he be blessed and do great things.. I went on to University - so I showed my teachers up!!

Scott of Melbourne Posted at 21/06/2013 2:13pm

What makes the retaken photo even better. Not one single child from the original is missing. Actually one extra child. The parents of all the children understood and probably even supported the re-taking of the photo.

Matt Johnston of Posted at 21/06/2013 2:15pm

Awesome stuff, and whats wrong with him being out of his wheelchair? He should not be forced to be trapped in it. Just like the others he has a right to sit on the bench with them.

David of Posted at 21/06/2013 2:16pm

What a nice story and a reminder of how easy it is to make the world a nicer place for each other.

Dave of Posted at 21/06/2013 2:17pm

Thanks news.com.au
Now I'm sitting at my desk crying cos i couldnt imagine how id be if that was my little boy. So cute and innocent. Hope the little man goes on to have an amazing life!!
You star Miles!!!

K Dawson of Ballarat Posted at 21/06/2013 2:17pm

My 83 year old father said the first photo is "shameful". I wholeheartedly agree. This should never have happened. Shame on the teachers and photographers. Top job to the parents for raising discrimination awareness

OzKez of Beaumaris, Victoria Posted at 21/06/2013 2:18pm

Kudos to Lifetouch - good to see someone did the right thing here.

Amy Ford of Posted at 21/06/2013 2:21pm

Loved this article :) what a brave little boy!

Holy moly of Posted at 21/06/2013 2:26pm

Omg. My heart is breaking. I am sitting at my desk at work CRYING. What a gorgeous little boy, I hope the world is kinder to him and he never stops smiling. I need a tissue.

Sarah Jane of Canberra Posted at 21/06/2013 2:28pm

Poor sweet lil thing I'm glad they fixed his photo.

Rod Mac of Sutherland Posted at 21/06/2013 2:29pm

They should have fitted in around his chair. The second photo is though he has to adapt to fit in with them. How hard is it that they sit around him in his chair.

steve smith of Gold Coast Australia Posted at 21/06/2013 2:33pm

What a heart warming story
But a pity that an adult in the room didnt reconize a problem and have all the kids rally around your lad to make him feel more welcome.
Im sure the kids all cherish your lad .
If ever you come to Australia I have a Car Rental busines and an minivan is yours for a week free and will fit a motorized chair

bull of bulli Posted at 21/06/2013 2:34pm

Never show him the old photo never throw it away

Mel of Posted at 21/06/2013 2:34pm

Love it that they took a new photo, nice work. And a lesson that it's not always about what we do wrong, but about what we do to fix it.

Andrew of Posted at 21/06/2013 2:35pm

Those two teachers should be spoken too, clearly..

Anne of Posted at 21/06/2013 2:36pm

I think the parents have the hang up here. He looks happy as Larry even in the first photo. They have shamed him for being in a wheelchair by photoshopping him out of it. So what, when he pulls this photo out to show his kids, how will he explain he was magically able bodied for 5 mins while the photo was taken? Then he'll really be humiliated if they don't show him the real photo until he's an adult. Appauling. The photographer may not have had a lot of experience and you can see he's at the end of the bench the other kids are sitting on. Perhaps he should have told the other kids to all move toward that end of the bench, then you'd never notice. Beautiful smile champ, don't let your parents hang ups make it stop. They want a payout.

Happy for him of Posted at 21/06/2013 2:39pm

So who criticised it as "sending the wrong message"? - some loser who wants to play the 'victim' card all their life.
The smile on his face says it all, great!

Eumir Dos Santos of Sydney NSW Posted at 21/06/2013 2:39pm

I'm glad they re-shot the photo! The first photo would have been okay if he was right next to his classmates. How his teacher didn't pick up on the gap and correct it is beyond me.

Teary of Melbourne Posted at 21/06/2013 2:42pm

This brings a tear to my eye.

Lamb of God Posted at 21/06/2013 2:44pm

Can anyone see the planks running all the way to the wheelchair? he could not have been any closer, is this a fake article ??????????????

Jess Murray of Posted at 21/06/2013 2:46pm

I don't understand why in the first picture that class couldn't have just been seated on the end of the benches near Miles? Just shuffle them towards their friend, and it would have been a great picture!

Pete of Brisbane Posted at 21/06/2013 2:48pm

And Miles has such a beautiful smile, maybe his name can become Smiles

Cymek of Posted at 21/06/2013 2:48pm

Not sure if ignorance was the reason he was just put to one side in his wheelchair and not seated like in the second photo, but even so they could have put more effort into including him with rest of the class.

We are all equal of Melbourne Posted at 21/06/2013 2:49pm

Wow what a great story. We need more of these

Jon0 of QLD Posted at 21/06/2013 2:49pm

Obviously no-one thought to take him out of the chair, I hardly see how this is discrimination, it is just someone not thinking outside the box... Society is going down a vary narrow path.

Jane of Posted at 21/06/2013 2:52pm

And rightly so the teacher should be looking sheepish in the 2nd photo - shame on her for being so oblivious to her students basic rights to be included. I hope the parents of the other students have ditched the original and been given the new photo for free.

JB of Stafford Posted at 21/06/2013 2:54pm

What so many people don't understand is that all these kids want to do it fit in, have a few friends and join in what ever is going on. This is not limited to kids like Miles.
Kids with Autism who are able bodies but different are equally ostracised, not in photo's but in every other aspect of school life. Don Ambridge is correct that the kids are so innocent that they don't notice, but what happens when they do and then think back it can be devastating. Good on Lifetouch for redoing the shoot and hopefully everyone has leant a lesson here.

Craigos of Brissy Posted at 21/06/2013 2:54pm

All boils down to a photographer who was too fussed about having the group centered on the benches....composition and the like, but, it should never have been done without making Miles well and truly included.....

Vicb7 of Posted at 21/06/2013 2:55pm

A smile that makes me want to smile and a fantastic outcome. Just wish it started that way and people hearts were as big as that kid one

Special Ed Teacher of Posted at 21/06/2013 2:57pm

The teachers should have spoken up and said something. There is no way I could ever stand back and let a photo like the first one be taken. The photographer doesn't know the children, the teachers do, they should have recognised that having a child stuck out on his is own was wrong. But then the second photo forces the child to fit in with everyone else. What is wrong with having the children seats next to him instead of half a metre away???

Steve of Posted at 21/06/2013 3:02pm

they never want their kid to see it so they go to the media and give out the pic? hello...

Adam of Perth Posted at 21/06/2013 3:02pm

It would have been easy to just have the kids sit on one side of the bench so he was next to them in the first place...

Mara Smith of Brisbane Posted at 21/06/2013 3:03pm

And this is FRONT PAGE news today?.. meanwhile in Iraq 27 innocent people were murdered today and the US is on the brink of financial collapse, BUT NO, some kid in a wheelchair to the side of a photo is World News..

Some person of Posted at 21/06/2013 3:04pm

He's actually the normal child in both photos, he has a face all the others kids don't, weird.

Jeff adelaide of Adelaide Posted at 21/06/2013 3:06pm

OK now!!!! Maybe, but what an absolute disgraceful act on the part of the teacher/school. Have we all a lesson to learn from this!! We are ALL the same, don't put young people out of the picture from the rest, this young man needs to feel that he IS part of society. I am disgusted with this teacher, she needs counselling real bad, the school's principal must not be much of a leader either. What else don't they do right????

Maurizio of Sydney Posted at 21/06/2013 3:08pm

Jaw on the floor. This is a horrible world we live in some times.

Nix of Sydney Posted at 21/06/2013 3:09pm

The girl in the panda shirt must like that shirt a lot.

CSM of Posted at 21/06/2013 3:12pm

As a teacher, I think it is disgraceful that this ever happened. The teachers involved should be ashamed of themselves. All students have a right to feel part of the classroom and school experience, and this is something which should have been considered before the students even entered that room to have the photo taken.

blair of Posted at 21/06/2013 3:15pm

Awesome,awesome,awesome!! Just the sort of story to end the week on. Smiling right now!

compassionman of Posted at 21/06/2013 3:16pm

I shed a tear of sadness for you, Miles in the first picture & another tear of joy & happiness for you in the second picture. You are no different than the rest with the beautiful grin....wonderful!

Robert Poole of Brisbane Posted at 21/06/2013 3:16pm

I don't think there was any ill-intent, It looks as though the photographer was not informed/prepared for a wheel-chair bound student and thought on the fly. The second photo is much better though.

Ed of Port Melbourne Posted at 21/06/2013 3:21pm

He looked like he was sitting in First Class, while the rest of his school mates were in economy. He had the best seat in the house.

Karl of Perth Posted at 21/06/2013 3:25pm

For the life of me I cannot comprehend what the teachers and even the photographer were thinking when they did the first photo shoot. Heads should be collectively bowed in shame. As for those criticising the fact the photo was taken out of the wheelchair sayin it was "sending the wrong message". What a bunch of complete tossers.

J of Posted at 21/06/2013 3:31pm

Did the parents get the consent of the other children and their parents before uploading photos of them to the internet? This is why you can't let your children have class photos any more - because some ill-mannered parent will upload the photo to the net without asking.

Overprotective Madness of Sydney Posted at 21/06/2013 3:34pm

Sends the wrong message? What is it with people pushing their PC agendas onto others? If the kid is happy, let him sit on the bench without his wheelchair!

Ron of Posted at 21/06/2013 3:35pm

First one look like too rush. Second one look like properly.
Who are you 2 new teachers looking for fame ?
You are champion boy and good on parents.

Mike from Adelaide of Adelaide Posted at 21/06/2013 3:38pm

benw of Sydney you are an idiot saying the extra 2 adults just wanted to be in the photo. I'm guessing the adult nearest to the boy was there as his aid and the person behind could have been a classroom support person that wasn't there on the original day. Nice way for you to put something more negative into this boys life.

freedom of SA Posted at 21/06/2013 3:38pm

I feel for the kid, shouldn't have happened. Mum and Dad wont show him the original photo but are happy to put it on facebook and now the worlds media has shown it. ???

Passing Thru of Canada Posted at 21/06/2013 3:41pm

The photographer would have done the initial arranging and Lifetouch basically uses kids just out of school to do the shooting. It is a by the numbers process - dictated by a set formula as to seating, camera and light set up. The idea is to get them in and out as quickly as possible because you only have a set time to do the entire school. Deviance from the formula is frowned on. The photographer and the teacher did the best they could at the time and for all those who criticize -try doing this job for a year. You will think cleaning urinals is heaven.

Rhys of Perth Posted at 21/06/2013 3:44pm

Great result in the end but should never have come to this with any sort of common sense or problem solving ability. Those people who say 'there's a bench in the way, so what else could they do' are part of the problem.
Shuffle the kids up to him, have the teacher sit next to him instead of standing on the other side, move his wheelchair in front of the first bench and move kids around him, take him out of the wheelchair if it is permitted......'
Seriously! Do these people who said the bench is in the way just not go outside whenever a door is closed in front of them? 'Oh well, door's closed. What am I supposed to do?'.
Great article though and great to see some good news that makes you smile. Love seeing the happiness on Miles' face.

Ash of Posted at 21/06/2013 3:46pm

J you are an ignorant fool!

Lyle Upson. of Adelaide Posted at 21/06/2013 3:48pm

thanks, I have been looking for descriptions of stigma

Problem? of Posted at 21/06/2013 3:50pm

Yet if they moved him from the wheelchair, the parents would complain about that too. You just can't win against people looking for offense; I'm sure they didn't mean anything by it.

MD of Posted at 21/06/2013 3:53pm

If you look closely at the pic his wheel chair can't get any closer. They may have been unsure whether to take him out or not for the original photo?

Tanya of Posted at 21/06/2013 3:55pm

Horrible, unthinking people.

Matt of Sydney Posted at 21/06/2013 3:57pm

Typical media hype over nothing, on the day of the photo the boy probably couldn't stand and had to sit, so the photographer put him as close to the bench as possible. Big deal, he is still in the photo!

marc of Posted at 21/06/2013 4:01pm

J people like you are what is wrong with the world today. ...

Aces Smith of Wangaratta Victoria Posted at 21/06/2013 4:04pm

To ** J *** are you BLIND.. the pupils faces are blanked out.. I think you are BLANK..

People are too sensitive these days. In the original photo it is obvious that the lenght of the planks the children are sitting on are jutting out equidistant on each end The lad's wheelchair is as close as possible. I am sure there was no intention of segregation by the photographer or the school staff. However the second photo is also nice.

Rex Mundi of Posted at 21/06/2013 4:14pm

Most stupid news article ever.

Brendan of Posted at 21/06/2013 4:14pm

I'm not crying.. There's just something stuck in my eye

jo of Posted at 21/06/2013 4:20pm

I think the second photo is worse. Face facts people, the boy IS in a wheelchair. Why is it a problem to show him in the chair? Are they now pretending he does not have a disability? Isn't that worse that recognising and accepting it? It's not up to the photographer or teacher to carry the child out of his chair. They could drop him or hurt him and would probably would be sued for doing so. His parents are to blame and should have been there on photo day. The parents should have gone down to talk to the school beforehand and been there when the school photo was taken. So sick of parents blaming everyone else.

Tony of Posted at 21/06/2013 4:22pm

This story made me cry. That smile just makes your heart heart melt. Good on you little man. Soldier on!

C of NT of Nhulunbuy Posted at 21/06/2013 4:26pm

Made me cry then I saw the reshoot touched my heart my cousin lost his boy last year to this horrible disease kids need to be loved and enjoy every single day they have with their freinds and family and be treated the same as everyone else

Rich of Melb Posted at 21/06/2013 4:30pm

2nd Photo Much Better. He will as yet go to teach the worl much.

Geoff of Geraldton Posted at 21/06/2013 4:35pm

As the parent of a 7 year old this story warms my heart. What a cool happy little guy.